Yeezus is here.

(Click the photo for the link. You're welcome.)

Yes. It leaked.

It was inevitable. Unlike Watch the Throne, which was a digital only release in its first week, and Jay and Kanye made sure NO one on their close knit team leaked it (can you say engraved rolex watches for the production team?), Yeezus leaked only hours after making it to the stores prepping for its official release on Tuesday. I found a link immediately and began the long process of analyzing the album. Trust me, I'm not going to spoil your listening experience.

Its hard to form your own opinion among Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook (even though facebook is surprisingly quiet about it...chunk it to the fact that facebook is the "senior citizen" of social media in a sense.) comments about the release, but lets face it; it's impossible not to talk about the album. First, lets give a round of sarcastically-laced applause to those "true" fans who refuse to listen to the album until Tuesday. By the time you get around to hearing the 10 tracks, the hype will be dead and all we will be talking about is soundscan numbers.

Now, lets get to the music.

The production is genius. Its a reduced rendition of your typical Kanye. While, MBDTF was full of perfectly placed strings, wood instruments, percussion, and some of the most famous singers singing BACKGROUND vocals for the album ('All of the Lights' had 11 superstars singing vocals...can you name them all? Thought so.), Yeezus is the anti-MBDTF. Expect bass, and raw, clear cut vocals. Kanye is in a dark, but creative space with this album. It's gritty, it's nasty, it's fresh, it's everything.

For those of you turned off by the "lack" of production, you will get your share and some on my favorite track, Blood on the Leaves. Who else but Kanye can put together Nina Simone and C-Murder samples and turn it into the perfect track? Some other favorites are New Slaves (of course) and I'm In It (because im nasty like that).

If for some reason you are waiting for Kanye circa 2004 (College Dropout era) to appear on this album, prepare to be disappointed. Also prepare to be shocked: no one is popping their collars up anymore and we have a black president now. In other words, College Dropout Kanye metaphorically died YEARS ago, and it now the year 2013 A.D. This is the most honest Kanye we've ever gotten, and dare I say it, his most "real" album. No apologizes, no fitting a mold, no barriers. Its the level artists of all mediums hope to get to; the point where they can literally create anything and create such a strong following/hype.

Beware: Yeezus is not for everyone. Is it my favorite kanye album? No. Hell No. That doesn't make it any less amazing. It is an acquired taste. My overall rating, an A-. Yes, im greedy and I can't give an album under 12 tracks (no matter how amazing) an A+. And, at the risk of being persecuted, I think Yeezus lacked a track. I don't know what I was expected to hear from the album, but the album left me with a strange feeling that one of those tracks that were left on the cutting room floor could have completely changed the album. But eh, that's just my intuition-who knows.

The official release date is next Tuesday, June 18th. Yes, I will be at my local Target to buy the album.

And no: I will not do a full review of Born Sinner. It was a straight album. Really good production. One problem: J.Cole was on it. As always I wanted other artists to do every song.

And for those Houstonians disappointed with the city's choice to shut down the New Slaves projections two weeks ago, Yeezus is gracious enough to try it again with several locations. Let's be progressive Houston, because I'm trying to scream 'YASSSSSSS' in downtown houston tomorrow night. Here's the screening locations:

9:30 p.m.: Houston Public Library
10:30 p.m.: TOC Bar
11:30 p.m.: Stereo Live
12:30 a.m.: 407 Main St.
1:30 a.m.: 2401 San Jacinto

The discouraged journalist.

This might come off as a rant.

I got into media (I spent almost three years in the science/pre-med field in college) because it is truly what I love to do. I get excited at the idea of putting a good news piece together. My learning didn't stop when I crossed the stage last year. I still watch newscasts and listen to radio shows, both locally, nationally and some international to keep abreast about what is going on in the art of television and radio news/production. I have applied to EVERY entry level and junior level position in radio and tv (and some in PR) in my state. For the jobs that do contact me, I get "entry level" pay offerings, some that equal less than $1200 a month for producing positions that are seven hours away from where I live. As a recent graduate and passionate journalist, how am I supposed to live off the salaries they are offering. No, I didn't get into journalism to get rich, but I also didn't expect to pay for 4 years of college, come out with an impressive resume, a hunger to work, student loans to pay, and still live below the poverty line.

Unfortunately, minority owned companies, both in Houston, and in the US, rarely hire entry level applicants, which I think is a disservice as well.

I beg of stations to employ new grads, or least consider us. Our age, and experience has little to do with our skill set. It is easy to become discouraged, but I have to remember, as a double minority in the media, that I have to stay in this field, because we need representation!

Sigh. I just wanted to give my readers a peek into my current struggles.

OWN-TV Casting Call

Oprah Winfrey's network- OWN is having online casting calls for Houston's aspiring makeup artists and hair stylists. If you have a bright personality, big dreams, and a desire to be taped on your journey to your dreams, visit the website and fill out the "casting call" form. Make sure you have photos or videos of yourself that represents you.

Here's a little more on who they are looking for (from the OWN website):

Do you have dreams of a career in the beauty industry? Is there a hair stylist or make up artist inside of you yearning to come out? Are you currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in beauty school? We are documenting for a television series the experiences of students, 18 years or older, working toward a cosmetology license at a beauty school in Houston. You will be responsible for tuition, however, some financial aid may be available to qualified students. 

We are seeking vivacious, animated individuals living in Houston, Texas who are truly passionate about their future and the beauty industry. Are you amazing and fabulous with your own unique style? Do you have big dreams of being a success one day?  If so, we want to hear about it!

Good luck to all the contestants!

My favorite two "new" social networks.

For anyone who reads my blog, knows me personally, or can just get a sense of who I am, I LOVE everything media. That means I try to keep abreast of things, like new social networking sites, that I can use for my benefit. Let me introduce you to two that I believe are creating a stir:

1. Paper.

This website, which doubles as a social media site (well I consider it to be one) allows you to "publish" your own paper. The MCMXC Daily is my personal paper, and it has everything from top stories to funny features, to entertainment reports. [MCMXC is the roman numeral for 1990...the year I was born]. Your paper can have an array of topics as well. Not the writer? Don't worry, you can use other sources as "contributors" to your website. Just type in your favorite news source (ex: CNN on twitter) and voila! You have a paper! Interested in checking Paper out for yourself? Visit their website. 

2. Kumbuya

Kumbuya is a social network that i stumbled upon via craigslist. Confusing huh? Well, while looking for a job, I read about the site and decided to check it out. Kumbuya allows you create moderate, and join "communities" based on your interests. There you can create discussions, polls, share advice, and start a conversation with people all around the world who share similar interests. I personally joined a natural hair community and a fashion blogger community. Does that interest you? Well start now by clicking here. 

MEME of the Week: Drake and Miguel

The billboard awards just aired a few hours ago. Miguel, excited from the crowd's reception to his performance leaped into the air, landing on two women. It looked like a banned WWE finishing move. I immediately screamed "lawyer up" to the girls. (It was later reported that both girls were okay...hmm, I still smell a lawsuit)

And drake, well he was being drake. Earlier this week, he was spotted channeling his inner Quentin Tarantino, wearing a DADA jersey with black pants and black timbs.

Aubrey....where are your friends?

This is the photo that started it all:

Now the photo has went viral, and amateur photo editors have turned into a meme phenomenon. 

Peep some of my favorites below:

Kanye West Album Title and New Music Released

The man everyone loves to hate is back with new music.

Arguably one of the most controversial artists of our generation, Kanye West has announced that his new album "Yeezus" will be released June 18th. This album, along with the birth of his first child with Kim Kardashian, will be the talk of the summer. 

And in true Kanye fashion, he released his first new song (not sure if it will be a single yet) "New Slaves" feat Frank Ocean in a guerilla style projection on several buildings all over the world.

Here's the video:

I LOVE IT. (and I love the video projection concept)

And last night on SNL's season finale, he performed a new song- "Black Skinhead"

he also tweeted the lyrics. (follow kanye here.) 

Of course, I am kanye FAN, so I love it all. However, I am wondering about the racially charged lyrics, especially for these to be his first two singles. This will either be a selling point for some, or another reason to come together to hate kanye.

Will you be in line on June 18th to get the "Yeezus" album?

Kim Kardashian? Where are your friends?

Friends...how many of us have them? When I see fashion no-nos like the one pictured above, my feelings get hurt. And in the case of a multimillionaire public figure, I have to ask the whereabouts of Kim's friends when she got dressed today. Kim Kardashian actually had a job (shocker!) as a stylist pre-Ray J home movie, and normally her style is on point. However, Kim's style has gotten worse in the last year. 

Now I LOVE Kanye (probably more than I should admit) but his choice to dress Kim Kardashian in the beginning of their relationship received plenty of side eyes and sent Kim to the worst dressed list in the magazines and on the blogs. And since announcing her pregnancy at the end of last year, her taste in fashion has declined and she is officially one of the worst dressed pregnant women I've ever seen in my life.

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, something to be embraced. Kim-you've spent most of your pregnancy looking incredibly uncomfortable, squeezing into dresses WAY too small for you, and sticking to your 4+ inch heels all the way to term. You don't have to let yourself go by any means, but at this stage in your pregnancy, it is perfectly fine to pair some nice sandals or flats with your dress (which is one of her better looks to be honest). 

I beg of you Kim, speak to your sister Kourtney, who gracefully went through her pregancy looking chic and flawless every month. You can salvage this last month of your pregnancy, I believe in you.